Fargo, North Dakota: 10 Cool Places
by Juhls on 01/03/09 at 4:04 am
10 Cool places in Fargo, North Dakota.
Image via Wikipedia
1. Fargo Theatre
The epitome of cool. A truly vintage theatre complete with a Wurlitzer pipe organ. Opened in March 1926, it is still going strong with a focus on independent and international pictures. Neat features: Midnight Movies, Silent Movie Night, and the Art Film Series.
2. Babb’s Coffee House
Complete with coffee roasted in Seattle and shipped to Fargo, this is a true treasure, especially during the long, cold winter in Fargo. Babb’s expertise extends beyond fab java, though. Delicious sandwich creations are another draw.
3. Plains Art Museum
A cool building filled with an extensive permanent collection as well as special exhibitions. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon. Don’t forget to stop by the gift shop – unique finds abound.
4. One World Imports
Quirky, bohemian, international finds for home decor and one’s closet. Great store for gifts or a little self-indulgence.
5. Passage to India, Saffron
A nice surprise to find two Indian restaurants in Fargo. Passage of India was around before Saffron and has a more cozy, traditional vibe, while Saffron has a more trendy vibe. Both offer delicious food.
6. Spirit Room
A centre for everything creative, holistic and spiritual, this is a a beautiful space. Art exhibitions, classes (e.g., yoga, belly dancing), and meditation, all feel at home here.
7. Juano’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant
It may be far away from the Mexican border, but this restaurant is the closet thing to real comida mexicana in Fargo. Excellent atmosphere and good eats.
8. Bison Turf
A college favorite, this pub is just across the street from North Dakota State University. Classic pub fair, with one noticeable twist: you can order a Bison burger. But if your school’s mascot is a Bison, isn’t that kind of like cannibalism?
9. Stabo Scandinavian Import, Hjemkomst Center
Stabo is in Fargo, but technically the Hjemkomst Center is in Fargo’s neighboring city, Moorhead, which is in Minnesota. Complete with a modern replica Viking ship that sailed to Norway in the 1980s and an exact replica of a Norwegian stavekirke (Stave Church), the Hjemkomst Center is an interesting stop. If you need more Scandinavian-ness, check out Stabo where you will be delighted with clothing, jewelry, music, books, and many other miscellaneous things for one’s home.
10. Broadway
A downtown street alive with cool retro architecture and hip haute-spots like the Fargo Theatre, Babb’s Coffee House, and the Spirit Room (along with others!) this is a place not to miss.
If you like this travel-inspired piece, why not check out Las Vegas: 10 Romantic Recommendations? Happy Travels!
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17 Comments
Darla Smith
Mar 1st, 2009
Those sound like very interesting places. I’d love the chance to visit the Plains Art Museum and the Spirit Room.
Juhls
Mar 1st, 2009
Darla: Yeah, I enjoyed the museum and had an Indian cooking class at the Spirit Room, plus enjoyed some art exhibits there – both where cool places.
Vikram Chhabra
Mar 1st, 2009
I need to visit these places. Thanks for posting!!
Ray
Mar 1st, 2009
Fargo is a great place to live. Great colleges NDSU, and across the river in Minnesota, Moorehead State and Concordia.
Joni Keith
Mar 1st, 2009
I always think of the movie, although I don’t know if any of it was actually filmed in Fargo. You make it sound inviting. Great article.
Juhls
Mar 1st, 2009
Ray: Totally agreed! I look back fondly on my short time in Fargo. Really cute places and easy to get around everywhere.
Joni: Hehe. I watched the movie, too. But apparently the movie wasn’t even set in Fargo, North Dakota… it was filmed and the script was set in Minnesota! Fargo is a cool, albeit small, city. Downtown especially has a fun vibe.
Juhls
Mar 1st, 2009
Vikram: Fargo is not usually a normal hot spot for people visiting the states, but it is a cute city and with all the retro architecture and cool spots in Downtown, it is worth a visit, if even just once.
India is huge, but I hope to visit throughout your country someday. So many wonderful places to visit in the world!
Ruby Hawk
Mar 1st, 2009
I have a friend from near there and I have always wanted to go for a visit. Maybe someday. I really thought it was a smaller ranch town because my friend’s family has a ranch there.
Kate Smedley
Mar 2nd, 2009
Thanks for sharing this, sounds like a great place to visit!
Juhls
Mar 2nd, 2009
Ruby: Fargo is a smaller town… maybe a population of 200,000? But within the city limits it doesn’t have a ranch feel. It is relatively quite urban.
Kate: Fargo does have some cool places to visit! I forgot to add in here about Hotel Donaldson – a very hip hotel with unique restaurants in the Dowtown area. A great place to stay if you ever visit.
Island Style
Apr 7th, 2009
I love old Theaters..I wanted to shoot the “ancient” Palace Theater but I thought we were limited to storefronts? I really like this- Makes me want to put my traveling shoes on..Thanks for stopping by with your comments too!
Dee
Apr 20th, 2009
Seems like a very nice place to visit!
hfj
Apr 21st, 2009
The closest i’ve been to Fargo ND is watching the movie. My brother has been there many times and talks about the beautiful countryside. Well written piece. Good job.
Juhls
Apr 21st, 2009
Dee: Thanks for the comment!
hfj: Also, thank you for kind comment! That’s cool that your brother has visited Fargo. I think more people have watched the movie than actually have been to the town, hehe. The countryside is beautiful! And there are some cool things to do in town, too.
jj
Apr 27th, 2009
I love how the Turf snuck in there! Go Bison!
clay hurtubise
Jun 4th, 2009
Ever since the movie I wanted to go there: now you’ve added more reasons!
Thanks,
Clay
Juhls
Jun 19th, 2009
Hey Clay: Ya know what, apparently the movie wasn’t even in Fargo or North Dakota at all… it was all set in Brainerd, Minnesota, or around there. But you should still visit North Dakota ; ).
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